mend

1 of 2

verb

ˈmend 

mended; mending; mends

transitive verb

1

: to free from faults or defects: such as

a

: to improve in manners or morals : reform

was advised to mend his ways

b

: to set right : correct

mend a corrupt text

c

: to put into good shape or working order again : patch up : repair

the roads were never mended

—Ellen Glasgow

d

: to improve or strengthen (something, such as a relationship) by negotiation or conciliation

—used chiefly in the phrase mend fences

spends the weekend mending political fences

—E. O. Hauser

e

: to restore to health : cure

before the bone was fully mended

—Current Biography

2

: to make amends or atonement for

least said, soonest mended

intransitive verb

1

: to improve morally : reform

It's never too late to mend.

2

: to become corrected or improved

depression and lack of spirit mended visibly

—Arnold Nicholson

3

: to improve in health

also : heal

his injury mended rather quickly

mendable

ˈmen-də-bəl 

adjective

mender noun

mend

2 of 2

noun

1

: an act of mending : repair

2

: a mended place

Phrases

on the mend

: getting better : improving

Synonyms

Verb

• doctor
• fix
• patch
• recondition
• renovate
• repair
• revamp

Choose the Right Synonym for mend

mend, repair, patch, rebuild mean to put into good order something that is injured, damaged, or defective.

mend implies making whole or sound something broken, torn, or injured.

mended the torn dress

repair applies to the fixing of more extensive damage or dilapidation.

repaired the back steps

patch implies an often temporary fixing of a hole or break with new material.

patch worn jeans

rebuild suggests making like new without completely replacing.

a rebuilt automobile engine

Examples of mend in a Sentence

Verb

The town needs to mend these roads.

Fishermen were mending their nets.

Her arm mended slowly after surgery.

His broken heart never completely mended.

Noun

You can hardly see the mend in the sleeve.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Since the phone call, the bride has reached out to her friend several times to mend things. —Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 23 Jan. 2025

The moment suggested an effort to mend their relationship, projecting unity and mutual respect. —Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 21 Jan. 2025

Noun

The 32-year-old actor, who played geeky Lionel Higgins in Netflix’s college-set series adaptation of Justin Simien’s 2014 film, revealed Thursday that he had been shot a few days before Christmas and has been on the mend ever since. —Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025

Threat level: Detroit's defense is still on the mend. —Joe Guillen, Axios, 17 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, short for amenden — more at amend

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing mend

• mend fences
• mend one's fences
• mend one's ways
• on the mend

Kids Definition

mend

1 of 2 verb

ˈmend 

1

: to improve in manners or morals : reform

2

: to put into good shape or working order again

3

: to improve in health

also : heal

mendable

ˈmen-də-bəl 

adjective

mender noun

mend

2 of 2 noun

1

: an act of mending : repair

2

: a mended place

Medical Definition

mend

1 of 2 transitive verb

ˈmend 

: to restore to health : cure

time will mend the broken bone

intransitive verb

: to improve in health

also : heal

mend

2 of 2 noun

: an act of mending or repair